Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Electrical Engineering, B.S.E.


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Requirements for the major in electrical engineering, B.S.E. program


Electrical engineering is a broad field encompassing a number of disciplines. Oakland University’s undergraduate program in electrical engineering is designed to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills for challenging careers in electrical engineering in the coming decades. The curriculum offers strong fundamentals in analog and digital circuits, communications, computers, controls, electromagnetics, electronics including VLSI systems, electronic devices, and power systems. In addition, a strong laboratory component of the program offers numerous design opportunities and allows students to relate theoretical ideas to practical problems using modern equipment and hardware/software tools. The program also provides numerous engineering design experiences. Electrical and computer engineering faculty members are engaged in research related to new developments in the field. Their activities contribute to a well-developed, up-to-date curriculum.

Program Educational Objectives

The undergraduate program in Electrical Engineering will provide educational experiences aimed toward producing graduates who will:

  • design electrical and/or electronic components or systems meeting user specifications;
  • use laboratory (instrumentation, testing, prototyping, etc.) and/or computer skills engineering analysis and design;
  • adapt and contribute to new technologies and methods, and use these in engineering design;
  • if desired, pursue successfully graduate study in electrical engineering or related disciplines;
  • function successfully in local, national or global technology-driven industries;
  • exhibit the willingness and flexibility to seek, accept and be effective in a variety of roles, such as developing and implementing solutions to problems with technical and non-technical elements, serving as a team member and leading others;
  • communicate effectively in both written and verbal forms;
  • exhibit high standards of personal and professional integrity and ethical responsibility.

To earn the degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a major in electrical engineering, students must complete a minimum of 128 credits, satisfy the general education requirements (see Undergraduate degree requirements) and meet the following requirements:

General education (excluding math and science) – 24 credits


Approved mathematics or science elective – 4 credits


Students majoring in Electrical Engineering are advised to take MTH 275  to broaden their knowledge of Linear Algebra. However, students who have an explicit interest in broadening their knowledge in a specific area of math or science should select an elective from the following approved course list:

Professional electives – 12 credits


Three professional depth area option courses (see below)

Free electives – 3 credits


May be used to satisfy writing requirement

128 total credits


Economics requirement


In addition to the requirements stated above, electrical engineering students must fulfill the economics requirement. This may be met by completion of ECN 150 , ECN 200 , ECN 201 , ECN 202  or ECN 210 . However, ECN 201  is not part of the general education requirement.

Performance requirements


In addition to previously stated requirements, satisfactory completion of the program requires an average grade of at least 2.0 within each required group: namely, mathematics and science, core subjects and professional subjects. Within professional subjects, at most two grades below 2.0 are permitted, at most two different courses may be repeated and a total of three repeat attempts is permitted.

Professional Electives


Electrical engineering students must complete at least three (3) additional 400- or 500- level courses with an ECE designation. However, students may not take ECE 490 ** and ECE 494 ** more than once. Also other professional engineering courses carrying CSE, ME or ISE designations may be taken when called for by the options below or with prior approval of the chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisers in selecting professional elective courses.

Students interested in broadening their knowledge in a specific area of electrical engineering could elect sequences of courses as described in the specialized professional deoth areas listed below to satisfy the electrical engineering electives requirement.

Alternatively, they may elect any combination of the elective courses listed below under professional depth area options.

**ECE 490  and ECE 494  require prior permission of the chairperson of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Professional depth area courses


Sample electrical engineering program schedule


Students entering the School of Engineering and Computer Science with the required background may follow a schedule such as the one indicated below. However, students will need additional time to complete the program if they do not have the required background upon entrance to the program.

Freshman year


Sophomore year


Junior year


Winter semester – 17-18 credits

Senior year


Winter semester – 15-16 credits

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